The latest technology and enhanced training opportunities that will help firefighters across the province save lives and protect property is being presented this week at the Fire Prevention Officers Association of B.C.鈥檚 annual seminar at the 91原创 Events Centre.
Hosted by the Township from May 2 to 6, the event features 鈥渟ome high-end speakers who are very well recognized,鈥� said Township assistant fire chief Pat Walker, who is putting together the seminar for more than 100 public educators, investigators, and inspectors in the fire service and other related fields.
Guest speakers include Sean Tracey of the National Fire Prevention Association, Jamie McKenzie and Mathew Osburn of the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association, and Andrew Harmsworth of GHL Consultants, who will discuss challenges and solutions regarding six-storey wood frame construction.
鈥淲ith recent changes in the B.C. Building Code permitting six-storey wood frame construction, this conference is an opportunity for fire and building code officials, engineers and architects to share knowledge,鈥� Walker said.
Vendors will display the latest in software and technology for fire inspection, training, and dispatch, and Walker has prepared a new training exercise that has not been done before.
Four 8 x 8 foot cubicles depicting a kitchen, bedroom, living room, and basement were built by the Township Fire Department and set ablaze.
Each simulated different circumstances and causes, including arson and accidental fires. The blazes were videotaped from start to finish.
During fire investigation sessions, teams will head to the fire department鈥檚 training centre to look at the cubicles and determine what started the blazes.
After the teams make their determinations and write reports, the videos will be shown to illustate how close they came to what actually happened.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very hands-on way of training people, and we think they鈥檒l get a lot out of it,鈥� said Walker.
The FPOA has a membership of more than 300, and represents 102 fire departments in the province.
鈥淭hey can take this valuable information back to their communities to provide a consistent application code throughout the province of British Columbia,鈥� he said, adding that six-storey wood frame construction can pose 鈥渟ignificant life safety changes鈥� in communities.
